Nero has announced that its applications, Nero Burning ROM and Nero Express, now support Layer-Jump Recording (LJR) of dual-layer DVD-R media, thus permitting multi-session burning, improved read compatibility, and a memory capacity of up to 8.5GB.

Layer-jump recording (LJR) now provides multisession burning of dual-layer DVD-R media. In other words, data can be added to a disc over several burning sessions, with the sessions appearing in the sequential order in which they were originally recorded. Both Nero and the burner manufacturer's firmware previously only supported disc-at-once (DAO) mode, meaning data could be written to a DVD-R only one time.

Unlike dual-layer recording, in which data is first written to one layer and then to the other, layer-jump recording alternates between both layers during the burning process, thereby evenly distributing the data between both layers. The written area of both layers expands evenly outwards with each burning session. This means adjacent layer areas always contain data, resulting in a reduction in background noise and better signal quality. This, in turn, leads to higher read compatibility, even on DVD-ROM drives, according to Nero.

OEM customers can download an update online through the Nero Web site available mid-June.